Case Study
Kern Residence
Auckland
A Home That Belongs
Set among open rural views in Auckland’s rural South, this family home was built around a clear intent: to sit within its landscape, not impose on it. The brief from the outset was for a home that felt open, calm, and deeply connected to its surroundings – where natural materials did the work of bringing the outside in.
The answer came in the form of a black barn aesthetic. Timeless, grounded, and perfectly suited to a rural setting, the style drew on the owners' roots in Hawke's Bay, where this architecture has long felt at home on the land. The dark exterior creates a composed contrast against the surrounding greenery; modern in its lines, classic in its spirit.
Millboard Envello Board & Batten+ and Envello Shadowline+ in Burnt Cedar clad the main exterior, wrapping the entrance and chimney in a profile that carries real depth and texture. As a product new to the Forté range, it was something of an unknown – but one that quickly proved its worth, as the client explains:
“As it went up, we were pleased with how it exceeded our expectations. It gives the home such a strong, cohesive look – the perfect depth and texture that really enhances the overall design."
The installation was straightforward, the finish complete. No additional steps, no ongoing treatment – just a material that arrived ready to perform.
The Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Limed Oak extends that ease of living outdoors. Installed flush with the interior flooring level, it dissolves the boundary between inside and out –and requires very little from the owners.
"The seamless flow of having the decking flush with the inside flooring really creates that perfect inside-outside connection. And the usefulness of the product being such easy care – no maintenance, year in and year out."
Interior: Warmth Built In
Working with interior designer Devon McIntyre, the owners brought the same considered approach indoors, layering natural materials and thoughtful detailing to create spaces that feel as good as they look.
Step inside and the first impression is one of warmth. The main entertaining and dining area – anchored by a fireplace, a long dining table, and a bar – draws the eye upward to a ceiling clad in Alor Fawn panelling, with matching custom box beams running through the space and continuing into the kitchen, living area, entry, and hallways.
It was McIntyre who helped realise the potential of this signature space – the room that greets you as you move from the entrance into the heart of the home. The Alor panelling was the element that brought it into focus: texture, depth, and a softness that makes the grand scale of the space feel surprisingly intimate.
"This is where the ceiling panelling was the perfect addition – creating the perfect feeling of warmth and character, making the home instantly feel inviting."
Underfoot, custom flooring in both Plank and Chevron formats runs throughout the home. The owners had previously specified a Forté floor of a similar classic character, and returned to the range for this project – drawn to the added depth and texture of the finish:
"We couldn't be happier with the warmth, character and authenticity it brings to the home. Not to mention how easy it is to care for, and the way it fits in with our rural lifestyle."
The Chevron format was introduced deliberately in select areas to create a different rhythm within the floor – a considered detail that gives each space its own identity while the home reads as one.
What ties Kern Road together is a commitment to materials that have sense of warmth and permanence. Stone benchtops, limestone tiles, a stone fireplace. The Forté products sit within that same philosophy: surfaces that carry their own character, and hold their own with time.
"At the time of choosing, natural materials may seem like a more expensive option. But once they are installed in your home, the appreciation of them – and how they make the home feel – is incomparable."
Guests notice it, too. It's the warmth of the floors underfoot, the texture of the ceiling overhead, the way the outside seems to continue inside. A feeling that's hard to name precisely, but unmistakable when you're in it.